You are using an old web browser. Such browsers do not support modern web technologies and do not offer proper security. Please update your browser or download one of the others suggested for free.
Mozilla Firefox |
Google Chrome |
Internet Explorer |
Opera

BBVA Compass BowlPittsburgh vs. SMUSaturday, January 7, 1:00 pm
ESPN
The Pitt Panthers have ex-Wisconsin offensive coordinator Paul Chryst coming in to take over the head coaching duties, and even though Jones has been rumored to other coaching vacancies around college football, SMU head coach June Jones says he's happy where he's at. The Pittsburgh Panthers finished last season with a very mediocre 6-6 record and needed a 33-20 win against Syracuse to become bowl eligible. The Panthers were rarely blown out in those six losses however, including a three point loss to the Irish, and a four point loss to the Iowa Hawkeyes. The Panthers don't exactly light up the scoreboard with the 69th ranked scoring offense in the nation scoring just over 25 points per game on average. Pitt runs a balanced offense, too bad neither the ground game nor the passing attack is all that potent. The Panthers secondary will be tested in this matchup against Jones and his SMU Mustang and the secondary for the Panthers has been exploited at times this season allowing over 233 yards per game through the air.

The SMU Mustangs finished a respectable 7-5, earning a spot against the Panthers in the BBVA Compass Bowl. SMU fell in week one to the Texas A&M Aggies, but the Mustangs rebounded nicely and rattled off five straight wins, including a shocking overtime victory against the TCU Horned Frogs. The offense for the Mustangs can move the ball, but that hasn't always translated into points for the 'Stangs as SMU is averaging just 25.7 points per game - 70th in the nation. As you can probably imagine, with June Jones calling the shot the Mustangs gain most of their yardage via the passing game. The defense has been outright bad at times this season.

The point total is set pretty high on this one as the public's perception feels a strong passing game against a mediocre secondary should turn into a lot of points. Both the Panthers and the Mustangs have been coming in below the number lately and I think that trend may continue in the BBVA Compass Bowl with the Under although I will wait until closer to game time to make a final decision. I have this game at about a pick em with maybe SMU winning by a point. As posted with the power numbers earlier I had SMU grabbing the 6 points which looked much better than it is now. But still have to take the points and run.

GoDaddy.com BowlArkansas State vs. Northern IllinoisSunday, January 8, 9:00 pm
ESPN
The final bowl game before the BCS National Championship, and I almost forgot to post some analysis. Arkansas State caught fire after a loss to Virginia Tech early in the season, running the table with 9 straight victories to go undefeated in conference play. The rush of fine form can mostly likely be attributed to junior quarterback Ryan Aplin, whose dual threat abilities are something to keep an eye on. Throwing for 3200 yards and rushing for another 600, Aplin is clearly the man to stop on this team, and if the Huskies can contain him, they should be able to stifle their offense. Defensively, the Red Wolves have posted an amazing defensive display in conference, giving up just 19 points a game on average. While these numbers were posted in the Sun Belt conference, it still is impressive for any team to hold opponents to those low numbers. Whether or not the Huskies’ offense can break this wall certainly remains to be seen.

The Huskies had some early season difficulties against Wisconsin and lowly Kansas before turning on the jets with an 8 game winning streak to end the season as MAC champions. NIU’s streak of recent excellence can only be placed on one man: their own dual threat quarterback, Chandler Harnish. Harnish leads the team in both passing and rushing yards. Unlike Arkansas State, the Huskies have talented running backs to aide Harnish when he’s in trouble. Starting back Jasmin Hopkins is the main target during the Huskies’ option formations. All the Huskies’ offensive stats, though, are nearly overshadowed by their shoddy, Jekyll-and-Hyde defensive play. They could play extremely well for 3 quarters, but somehow break down in the fourth and nearly lost games because of it; they also gave up a season high 60 points in a win over Toledo.

While the Huskies have a defense that is suspect to the passing attack along with the fact that I have Arkansas State winning this game by two touchdowns its a no brainer that I am riding with the Wolves. Obviously the weaker competition does put a bit of trepidation into making this a huge play the power numbers have been just outstanding once again this bowl season so lets ride with them and update this as we get closer.

BCS Championship GameAlabama vs. LSUMonday, January 9, 8:30 pm
ESPN
All hail the SEC. Again. Yuk. LSU and Alabama were awarded a spot in this game mainly because they hail from the nation’s premier college football conference. The Tigers have earned their spot by virtue of huge non conference wins over Oregon and West Virginia as well as their SEC West and overall SEC titles. Alabama is a controversial participant in this championship game. They were essentially voted in despite the fact that they finished second in the SEC West, have no marquee non conference wins (other than beating a mediocre Penn State squad) and that they already lost to LSU once this year. It has also been said that Alabama’s selection has more to do with generating television ratings than it does of actually pitting the two most deserving teams against one another. This game marks the first time in the 13-year history of the BCS that two teams from the same conference will play for the title. This game is a rematch of a heavily-hyped regular matchup back on Nov. 5. LSU won that game, 9-6, in overtime at Tuscaloosa in a game that was obviously dominated by defense. The teams mustered just 534 combined yards and four turnovers in a snoozer. All of the scoring came from the kickers: LSU’s Drew Alleman went 3-for-3 with his field goal attempts while Alabama’s Cade Foster and Jeremy Shelley combined to go just 2-for-6. The books have set on of the lowest totals in BCS Championship Game history and the bobblehead media is predicting another low-scoring contest. With perhaps the two best defenses in the country, which are both littered with future pro players, that is a reasonable expectation. If history and matchups are indicators then this one should be both low scoring and tight. The last two LSU-Alabama games have been decided by a field goal (both LSU wins) and four of the last six meetings have been determined by a touchdown or less.

Both teams have punched their way to this title game on the strength of a dominating defense and a power running game.
This game features two of the most talented rosters in all of college football and several future NFL players. However, the focus heading into this game is squarely on the marquee coaching matchup of Nick Saban against Les Miles. The Crimson Tide lost the initial matchup this season despite having a distinct home field advantage. But now the tables are turned even though this is supposed to be a “neutral” site. LSU is playing in its backyard in Louisiana and should expect to benefit from a very pro-Tigers crowd.

The spread on this game has really undergone an interesting movement. LSU opened as a one-point favorite in this game and has taken nearly 70 percent of all of the betting action in this game. But the line has actually gone the other way, with Alabama currently a one-point favorite, according to college football odds. That is a reverse line movement and indicates all of the sharp movement is down on the Crimson Tide.

Last year I was one of the few guys predicting a low-scoring BCS Championship Game between Oregon and Auburn. The total was set at 74.0 and everyone was expecting a shootout between two of the most explosive offenses in the country. But I was right, and the 41 total points made it the second-lowest scoring title game in a decade. This year I think I am going in the opposite direction. I think that this game is going to defy the public expectations – which is another defensive slugfest – and I think that this game that possibly destroys the total. I believe that both coaches will be a bit more aggressive offensively and that we could see some scoring out of either of the defenses or the special teams units. I have Alabama winning this game by 4 points and grabbed the early point and have not stopped taking points anytime I can with Alabama. It really should be a great game and looking towards it but honestly I still feel it should be Oklahoma State playing LSU for the Championship. Roll Tide. Next Year its Fight On USC!

I think we will see a few big plays and more touchdowns. I would expect Alabama to try to score early to build a lead, then may sit on it if they get 10 or more points into the 4th quarter. LSU has been a better second half team, so this looks like it will be at least as exciting as the first one. I expect a 17-7 or 17-10 type game at the half, with a final in the 31-27 range. Of course I am going with Bama on this one. I think Bama has a better crowd than LSU (check the online ticket shops and you will see very few Bama section tickets available--70% in LSU sections), more motivated, disrespected, etc. LSU has been a great team and won lots of big games this year, but that ends here. Who knows, there is a lot of time between now and Monday and from what I hear from my friends who are already there--it is going to be over the top wild. I am trying my best to get there. I have places to stay, park, dine in the quarter if I can make it. But, with there being a Saints playoff game Sat. night--this town may explode. Will be the greatest atmosphere for a college game at a "neutral" site ever. First time both teams are withing 5 hours of the site for the championship and this means more fans, fewer tickets, etc. Gonna leave it with that and say RTR!!!

Here are the Rankings of all the Bowl Games from worst to best in capsule form

35. Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Utah State vs. Ohio
When the punter of a team from Ohio who has never won a bowl game in its history bad mouths a bowl invite, how can it not be one of the worst bowl games of/all-time? Ohio Bobcat punter Paul Hershey vented on Twitter when hearing of the invite, asking “who the fuck” wants to go to Idaho in December. Good question.

34. BBVA Compass Bowl
Southern Methodist vs. Pitt
Who knew the Big East representative in this game would be SMU? The Mustangs have been invited to the Big East while the Panthers are bolting from the conference. Pitt is in Birmingham for the second consecutive season where quarterback Tino Sunseri will attempt to prove once and for all he is the worst athlete in the NCAA.

33. New Orleans Bowl
UL Lafayette vs. San Diego State
The Ragin Cajuns get to play in their home state. San Diego State has to travel a long distance. However, now that they agreed to join the Big East the Aztecs better get used to it.

32. Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl
Florida International vs. Marshall
This game is being played in Tropicana Field, which is used to good baseball. This game is neither baseball nor good.

31. Belk Bowl
Louisville vs. North Carolina State
If Cincinnati would have beaten Connecticut, Louisville would be in the Orange Bowl. They certainly do not belong there. Now they’re opposite North Carolina State in the Belk Bowl and I’m not sure they belong here either.

30. Little Caesar’s Bowl
Western Michigan vs. Purdue
The bowl game is named after the famous Hot-N-Ready pizzas. Neither Western Michigan nor Purdue figure to be hot or ready come kickoff Dec. 27 in Detroit.

29. Music City Bowl
Wake Forest vs. Mississippi State
This is one of four bowl games between 6-6 teams and this just happens to be the worst. Wake Forest won three more games than it did last year to land in this bowl game, Mississippi State won three less games than it did last year to land in this bowl game.

28. Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl
UCLA vs. Illinois
Ron Zook and Rick Neuheisel will both have plenty of time to fight hunger after this game; they have both already been fired. And they were canned for good reason; Illinois is 6-6, UCLA is somehow worse at 6-7 and inexplicably in a bowl game. Both teams are closing out their season playing in a baseball park on New Year’s Eve. That is not the recipe for a contract extension.

27. Independence Bowl
North Carolina vs. Missouri
The transition bowl, UNC has a new coach but he will be coaching Southern Miss in the Hawaii Bowl and Missouri will be granted Independence from The Big 12 win or lose as they move to the SEC next season.

26. Pinstripe Bowl
Rutgers vs. Iowa State
If you want to blame someone for the LSU/Alabama rematch, blame Iowa State. They’re the team who stunned Oklahoma State. The Scarlet Knights are playing close to home in the Bronx, and you can bet Greg Schiano will pull out on the stops to try to win in Yankee Stadium.

25. Hawaii Bowl
Nevada vs. Southern Mississippi
Recently hired North Carolina coach Larry Fedora will still coach his 21st-ranked Eagles in the Hawaii Bowl, and who can blame him. This Christmas Eve primetime matchup could develop into yet another bowl shootout.

24. Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas
Texas A&M vs. Northwestern
The Meineke Bowl moves from Charlotte to Houston, but it is just another bowl game that rewards 6-6 records. Despite the average records the game will feature shaky defenses and quarterbacks Dan Persa and Ryan Tannehill, hence the total of 64.5.

23. Sun Bowl
Utah vs. Georgia Tech
It is always interesting to see how teams do when they have a month to prepare for the Paul Johnson option offense. This is a rare Pac-12/ACC matchup.

22. Liberty Bowl
Cincinnati vs. Vanderbilt
This is the first time the Liberty Bowl has landed two teams from BCS conferences since 1988 (if you count the Big East as BCS). The Bearcats are 9-3 and ranked No. 24 and have a quarterback named Munchie Legaux. That should be reason enough to watch right there. Oh yeah, Vanderbilt is 6-6, but favored by 2.5, hmmm.

21. Go Daddy.com Bowl
Arkansas State vs. Northern Illinois
These are a pair of 10-win teams who nobody knows about, the game is close to a ‘pick‘em’, the total is 62 and it is being played on Sunday night after an NFL playoff doubleheader and the day before the National Championship. So all that should make up for the fact that nobody can even name the team’s mascots.

20. Armed Forces Bowl
BYU vs. Tulsa
BYU is always entertaining to watch in bowl games. They’ve knocked off Oregon, UCLA, Oregon State and UTEP in four of their last five bowls and they have scored a combined 96 points in their last two bowl games. The teams who Tulsa has lost to this season reads like a ‘who’s who’ of college football: Boise State, Houston, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State.

19. New Mexico Bowl
Temple vs. Wyoming
The opener of the bowl season is an odd but potentially entertaining matchup between Temple and Wyoming. It’s unlikely any fans will be making the trip from Philly to New Mexico to watch the Owls, but both teams are 8-4, excited to be in the game, and this game is a rematch, sort of. The teams played back in 1990, and Wyoming won, 38-23, so Temple should be looking for revenge.

18. Holiday Bowl
Texas vs. California
There’s a couple things working for this game, it is the Holiday Bowl which is usually entertaining by default. California has won three of its last four but is not ranked. Texas has lost three of its last four but is ranked. And then there is that little memory from 2004 when Mack Brown campaigned for a Rose Bowl berth ahead of Jeff Tedford and the Bears – and got it.

17. Poinsettia Bowl
Louisiana Tech vs. Texas Christian
A year after playing for all the roses, TCU is playing for all the Poinsettias. The Horned Frogs unfortunately fell to this game despite a No. 15 ranking and a win at Boise State. Their heart-breaking Week 1 loss at Baylor, 50-48, still haunts them as does their overtime loss to SMU. Louisiana Tech somehow lost its first four games against Division I-A teams and not only made a bowl game, but made a bowl game opposite of TCU. The Bulldogs should be able to hang with the Horned Frogs.

16. Military Bowl
Toledo vs. Air Force
This game just makes sense. It’s the Military Bowl between the Rockets and Air Force and the ‘over/under’ is hovering around 71 points. We should see a Military Bowl shootout between two teams who have never met.

15. Chick-fil-A Bowl
Virginia vs. Auburn
Unlike a chicken sandwich, this has to be tough to stomach for Auburn fans. A year after playing for and winning a National Championship, the Tigers are playing Virginia in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. But it should still be an interesting matchup between two coaches who should be Coach of the Year nominees.

14. Insight Bowl
Iowa vs. Oklahoma
Once again Oklahoma is a two-touchdown favorite in a bowl game it feels it is above, but against Iowa they may actually get a fight. Both teams have shown positive signs this year. Oklahoma was in the running for a national title before losing three of six, and Iowa knocked off Michigan, which changed the course of the Big Ten.

13. Gator Bowl
Florida vs. Ohio State
Because of Urban Meyer, a pair of 6-6 teams lucked into a decent bowl game in Florida on Jan. 2. Meyer, who will not be coaching in the game, is the former Florida coach and future Ohio State coach. If you can avoid that distraction, it’s always fun watching a pair of college football blue bloods meet.

12. Las Vegas Bowl
Arizona State vs. Boise State
There is so much wrong with this game that it’s must watch. No. 6 Boise State is 11-1 and they are being paired with unranked Arizona State, who is 6-6, in a bowl game on Dec. 22. What is Boise State doing playing on Dec. 22 and what is Arizona State doing playing in a bowl game? At last check the Sun Devils don’t even have a coach. This is a heck of a snag for the Las Vegas Bowl, and just think, the Broncos were one field goal away from playing for the National Championship.

11. Champs Sports Bowl
Notre Dame vs. Florida State
The Champs Sports Bowl pulled a no-brainer and skipped on the Big East leftovers to snag Notre Dame and pair them with No. 25 Florida State in the classic Catholics vs. Convicts matchup. These two teams used to play for a whole lot more, but this isn’t bad for a Dec. 29 matchup of 8-4 teams.

10. Alamo Bowl
Washington vs. Baylor
No. 16 Baylor and Robert Griffin III deserved better than unranked 7-5 Washington in the Alamo Bowl, but it will still be a good watch with the potential for an enormous shootout. All indications point to Griffin carrying the Heisman into this game, and it is always fun to watch how a player deals with the pressure of that Heisman (hint: usually not very well).

9. Capital One Bowl
Nebraska vs. South Carolina
This is one of the few bowl games between good teams where we might see some defense, and I’m sure no one needs to remind Steve Spurrier about the 1996 Fiesta Bowl (Nebraska 62, Florida 24).

8. TicketCity Bowl
Penn State vs. Houston
This is what bowl games are all about, seeing how teams stack up to one another. It is why we watched TCU/Wisconsin in the Rose last year, Utah/Alabama in the Sugar, Hawaii/Georgia in the Sugar and Boise State/Oklahoma in the Fiesta. Of course, Penn State is none of those teams, and Houston lost its last game. However, America will finally get to see Case Keenum against a very good defense, and hopefully the distractions around Penn State will subside just in time for this game.

7. Sugar Bowl
Michigan vs. Virginia Tech
It is doubtful anybody outside of Blacksburg, Virginia, wanted to see the Hokies in this game, but so goes college football. On one hand, Virginia Tech only lost to one team this year. And on the other hand, they lost to Clemson by a combined 48 points in two meetings. The Denard Robinson/Virginia Tech defense matchup should still be interesting to see.

6. Outback Bowl
Michigan State vs. Georgia
Michigan State has been one of the most entertaining teams to watch this season. They came inches and seconds away from winning the Big Ten Championship. Georgia had LSU frightened for 30 minutes of football in the SEC title game. Both teams are 10-3 and the Outback Bowl has the potential to steal the show on Jan. 2, the defacto New Year’s Day.

5. Cotton Bowl
Kansas State vs. Arkansas
This has all the feel of a BCS bowl. The game will be played in Cowboys Stadium on the Friday night before the National Championship and after the Rose, Fiesta, Sugar and Orange Bowls. Kansas State is ranked No. 10 and has only lost to Oklahoma and Oklahoma State and Arkansas is ranked seventh and has only lost to the two teams playing for the National Championship.

4. Orange Bowl
Clemson vs. West Virginia
Everybody involved with college football let out a giant sigh of relief when West Virginia landed the Big East’s BCS berth. Instead a repeat of Oklahoma 48, Connecticut 20 or Florida 51, Cincinnati 24 or Virginia Tech 20, Cincinnati 7, we get Clemson and West Virginia. The Mountaineers previous two BCS bowl games have been two of the greatest of all time. There was the 38-35 shocker upset of SEC Champion Georgia in the Sugar Bowl in 2006 and the 2008 48-28 stunner over Big 12 Champion Oklahoma. Clemson and West Virginia can score a ton and the total is 61. Both are Orange Bowl-starved and you can bet there will be fireworks and plenty of alcohol consumed by the fans in South Beach on Jan.4.

3. Rose Bowl
Wisconsin vs. Oregon
You can look at this as either a matchup of the last two losers of the Rose Bowl (Oregon lost to Ohio State in 2010 and Wisconsin lost to TCU in 2011), or you can look at it as Pac 12 vs. Big Ten, finally. The Rose Bowl was designed to pit the best of the West verse the best of the Midwest, but it has rarely done that over the past decade and finally it is happening and this is not USC getting ready to slaughter, Illinois, Penn State or Michigan. This is two Top 10 teams, both 11-2, both coming off conference championship wins, and the posted ‘over/under’ is 72, the second highest of bowl season.

2. Fiesta Bowl
Stanford vs. Oklahoma State
If we had a four-team playoff system, the 11-1 Cardinal and 11-1 Cowboys would be playing in the semifinals. We don’t, so they are playing a consolation game instead, but an entertaining one at that. The posted total of 75 is the highest of any bowl game. That distinction is usually reserved for some December bowl game featuring a bitter team from the WAC or Mountain West. This will be the highlight of the stellar Jan. 2 lineup.

1. BCS National Championship Game
LSU vs. Alabama
This game had to be ranked either No. 1 or No. 35, there is no middle ground. The SEC rematch is one of the most polarizing debates in sports. Some swore it was the best game they ever saw, LSU’s 9-6 win in November. Some say it isn’t fair. Some say they will vote LSU National Champion regardless of what happens in the National Championship Game. Only one thing is certain, you’ll be watching.

13) Earlier this week I said I’d look this up; over the last five years, double digit faves are 7-10 vs spread in bowl games, with five dogs winning SU.

12) I had to check this twice, but its true; over the last five years, teams from the Big Dozen Conference (Ohio State/Michigan/Penn State etc…) have been the underdog in 30 of their 37 bowl games; they’re 3-4 when the favorite, 17-13 as the dog (9-4 last two years).

11) Over last three years, SEC teams are 6-0 in bowls against Big X Conference (Texas/Oklahoma, etc) teams; last Big X win was Missouri’s 38-7 win over Arkansas in 2007, and starting next year, Mizzou will be an SEC team, too.

10) Underdogs are 29-13 vs spread in ACC’s last 42 bowls, with ACC clubs 7-15 as a favorite, 14-6 as an underdog.

9) Surprisingly, Big East teams are 20-8 in bowl games the last five years, but they’re also 9-0 vs C-USA/MAC teams, so they’ve been cleaning up in second-tier bowls. Still, 11-8 against everyone else is pretty good.

8) Over the last five years, Big X teams are a terrible 13-26 vs spread in bowls, 9-16 when favored, 4-9 when getting points. Something to think about when Baylor-Texas-Oklahoma schools take the field.

7) Somehow, Conference USA gets six bowl bids a year, probably because their schools are all in the South, near where the bowl games are. Anyway, C-USA teams are 11-19 in their last 30 bowls, 1-14 vs SEC/Big Dozen/Big East schools, 5-0 vs MAC teams, which tells you a lot about the MAC.

6) MAC teams lost 17 of their last 21 bowls; over last three years, they’re 2-11-1 vs spread in bowls. Guess all that weeknight TV exposure they had in October/November didn’t help.

5) MAC teams are 5-15-1 vs spread in those 21 bowls, 3-11 as the dog.

4) In last five years, there hasn’t been a bowl between a Big East/Big Dozen team; is there a reason for this or just a coincidence?

3) Mountain West teams won 14 of their last 19 bowls, covering eight of last 12 as a bowl underdog.

2) Over last five years, SEC teams are 18-11 vs spread when laying points in bowls.

1) Underdogs are 13-7 vs spread in WAC’s last 20 bowls, with WAC favorites covering two of last nine tries. Dogs dominated WAC’s league schedule the entire season this fall, so that makes some sense.

I love how the setup is arranged. And guys, knowing from personal experience on how Spooky prepares and attacks his spots for analysis of bowl games, the opinions are there most of the time earlier than one thinks. Everything is set up in descending order from opening kick off to the final buzzer of the BCS Championship. So if you thumb through, chances are you'll see an analysis thread without a play or a more popular bowl that sticks out like a sore thumb down the road.

Either way, here's to another extremely profitable season!

For the latest sports news, capper picks and tracker results, turn to JTG, the leader in BTB information

Once again we have a humungous amount of views but not much posting. We may make this thread private here at the forum unless you have registered and posted here at the forum. Its only fair to the guys that contribute.

That said.....will update each thread closer to game time with any opinion on the totals. Please realize that most plays were done early and the pointspread was obtained at that time. But I always go back and evaluate the early decision as well if things do change.
For the most part the side will always be stronger than the total. May be a few occasions that it doesnt work out that way but follow the smileys to make that determination at times.

Good Luck this bowl season. Play smart, have fun and realize nothing is guaranteed. This is a great time of year and make sure you have your priorities in order even if college football comes first on your list.

Top 10 sportsbooks

Sponsor

US CITIZENS PLEASE NOTE: The information contained on this sports betting site is for news and entertainment purposes only. Check your state and/or country laws to know if nfl football betting is legal. We don't accept bets from, nor do we place bets for our patrons. Persons under 18 prohibited! Use of this information in contravention of any law is prohibited. Please review the online Gambling Law for more details. All sportsbooks Reviews, Ratings of US Sportsbooks our of Our Opinion. Offers by Offshore Sportsbooks or Casinos advertising on this site are void in states or localities where prohibited by law. Only utilize their service if you can legally engage in non-domestically regulated sports wagering in your country or local jurisdiction.